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Typos and Other Sources of Humor

In my job I occasionally have to respond to call center forms documenting mis-shipments, missing parts, overages, etc. So, often I end up doing some kind of investigation. One of the forms I got last night stated that somebody would need to "inertigate" the issue.

I'm thinking if I procrastinate enough I will have reached the inert state desired.

Do you have anything similar? Instead of correcting the hoi polloi, let's celebrate the uniqueness.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by thedogma on January 3, 2010 at 4:15pm

very funny!

Permalink Reply by Glenn Sogge on December 31, 2009 at 3:18pm

In a very philosophical discussion over on Facebook, one commentator stated: Although it is still debated among physicists I find it exciting that there could be 11 different dementions.

It actually sums up where I could see the discussion going if it went on too long (like some of the ones here on A|N.) Or, it could be the most accurate description of string theory that I've ever seen.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Sogge on December 31, 2009 at 3:36pm

Without giving it much thought, I think so. So what is its function? I think it might be an "intensifier" that functions much as double negatives like "ain't no" do. And if you're really sure, it "ain't no never mind."

For some situations, though, it may actually provide non-redundant information. If a tyro is discussing shrubbery, an expert may correct her by saying "There are {implied 'only'} four different ways of pruning a tree."

Just a thought. And I got to use "tyro" in a sentence! I hope I used it correctly.

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on December 31, 2009 at 3:43pm

Someone here got onto me about writing "the reason is because," because using both "reason" and "because" was redundant. Now that he pointed that out, I notice other people saying it all the time.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Sogge on December 31, 2009 at 3:45pm

Dallas -- Isn't "other people" in your last sentence also redundant? Or, are you distinguishing them from the person who pointed out the issue?

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on December 31, 2009 at 3:50pm

Hmmm...no, I don't think so. What I am saying is people other than myself. I did it, and now that I have been corrected, I notice other people doing it.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Sogge on December 31, 2009 at 3:58pm

Maybe it's only partly redundant. You see others doing it [assumes you have corrected your behavior or that you are making no claim about yourself.] Or you see people doing it [which could include your uncorrected self.] Or you see other people doing it [but you're specifically excluding yourself from the statement.]

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on December 31, 2009 at 4:05pm

Or you see people doing it [which could include your uncorrected self.]

Yes, but we don't really refer to ourselves as people though, do we.

Of course, using just people would have been sufficient, I suppose. I mean, people always has to be people other than yourself, right? I guess it could be redundant in the sense of using my personal feelings. One's feelings are always personal, and we can't experience other people's feelings, so my feelings would do.

Or you see other people doing it [but you're specifically excluding yourself from the statement.]

That's what I am saying.

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on December 31, 2009 at 4:18pm

The "other" has a hint of a sniff in it, no?

Well, I didn't mean it that way. :P But I suppose it would depend on the context of the conversation, and the tone of voice, if spoken that is. It could be meant that way.

Permalink Reply by Howard S. Dunn on January 3, 2010 at 4:17pm

Unless you actually say - "some people do this, while other people do that." But then the second "people" is redundant, right? So you could say "Some people do this, while other so that." But then "people" might be redundant altogether, if it is clear, from context, that you are talking about people.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Sogge on January 3, 2010 at 5:40pm

Howard: If the context of "people" is clear, you can shorten it all to "Some do this, others do that." No?

Permalink Reply by Dallas the Phallus on December 31, 2009 at 4:13pm

You mean "people other than I," DG! ;)

I thought you said I could use myself if I already used I. My quote: What I am saying is people other than myself.

it's a mixed construction

What do you mean by that?